BATTLEFIELD VERITABLE SHAMBLES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8265, 30 October 1912, Page 1

BATTLEFIELD VERITABLE SHAMBLES

TURKS DRIVEN INTO A VALLEY OF DEATH

fy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Received October 29, 10.20 p.m.) BELGRADE, October 29.

Further details of thn Servian advance southward from Kumauova arc now reported. Uuriutc the pursuit of the Turks after the Imttlc. of Kumanova the Servians captured an enormous amount nt rolling stock and bridge nialerial. The panicked Turkish troops in their mad flight. fought caeh other, anti several were killed in frantic struggles for seats in trains and for possession of any sort of vehicle. A largo section of the fugitives was overtaken on the Ovtchepolyo plain, towards Knprili, and was again defeated with heavy loss. Saint Nicola, midway between Ovtehepolyc and Islitib, teas next occupied. The inhabitants of Jslitib rose against the Turks and seized all their arms.

Twenty-five Servians were killed and Bix wounded at Ferizovitch, and a thousand Armuits were made prisoners.

KUMANOVA’S FIELD OF BLOOD. "Wounded officers describe the Kiimanova fight us most sanguinary and stubborn, eventually becoming a shambles, tbo combatants backing each other in a ferocious manner. Tho battlefield was littered with corpses still clutching daggers and bayonets. Three divisions of Turkish regulars, strengthened by numerous irregulars, began the attack on Wednesday night. It was clear moonlight, and the Servians. with machine guns, waited till the Turks were at close range. Then they opened a withering fire, which, with infauty fire, mowed the Turks down in rows as they advanced in dense masses and essayed a bayonet charge. Their numbers were so thinned that tho effect of tho chargo was negligible, and tho Servians scarcely suffered from the Turkish fire.

Then the Servians, charging with the bayonet into tho valley and along Wooded hillsides, repelled the attack with _ghastly' losses to the Turks. Thirteen Servian regiments forming tho first lino charged with magnificent courage and swept everything before them till tho Turks were pressed back into tho hills.

At daylight tho Servian artillery joined in the battle with great skill, and decimated the Turks as they were retreating along tho narrow valleys. Tho Turkish artillery attempted to protect tho infantry, but tho guns Were poorly served, and the range was badly judged, while many of their shells did not explode. Tho battle lasted throughout Thurs. day. Servian cavalry made a long flank march and cama rdund on- the Turks’ right rear, compelling them to evacuate a strong position, and the road to Uskub was thus opened.